OBJECTIVETo discuss the effects on detrusor hyperreflexia treated with ginger-salt-isolated moxibustion at "Shenque" (CV 8) and its mechanism.

METHODSThirty female adult SD rats were selected. The model of detrusor hyperreflexia was prepared with complete spinal transection at T, of which, 20 rats were randomized into a model group (10 rats) and a moxibustion group (10 rats). A sham-operation group (10 rats) was set up for sham-spinal transection. In the moxibustion group, when urine incontinence occurred (about in 2 weeks of modeling), the ginger-salt-isolated moxibustion at "Shenque" (CV 8) was given, 3 moxa cones each time, once a day, continuously for 7 days. After treatment, in each group, the urodynamic parameters were determined, after which, the bladder detrusor was collected. Western blot was used to determine the protein expressions of M2 and M3 receptors.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operation group, the micturition interval was shortened apparently (<0.01); the maximal bladder pressure was increased apparently (<0.01); the protein expression of M2 receptor in the detrusor was increased significantly (<0.05) and that of M3 receptor had no apparent change (>0.05) in the rats of the model group. Compared with the model group, the micturition interval was longer apparently (<0.01), the maximal bladder pressure was reduced apparently (<0.01), the protein expression of M2 receptor in the detrusor was reduced significantly (<0.05) and that of M3 receptor had no apparent change (>0.05) in the rats of the moxibustion group.Compared with the sham-operation group, the results of the above indicators were not different significantly in the moxibustion group (all>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe ginger-salt-isolated moxibustion at "Shenque" (CV 8) suppresses the overactive bladder in the rat with spinal transection and its effect mechanism is possibly relevant with reducing the protein expression of detrusor M2 and inhibiting the excessive contraction of the detrusor.